California Science Test (CAST)

The California Science Test (CAST) is an online assessment based on the California Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
All local educational agencies (LEAs) with eligible students in grades five and eight and in high school will administer the
CAST operational test. The CAST operational test uses the current California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress
(CAASPP) test delivery system and will be only administered online.

Who takes the CAST operational test? The CAST is administered in grades five and eight and once to each student while that student is in high school.
All students must take the CAST by the end of grade twelve, but have the option of testing in grade ten or grade eleven.
Only eligible students may participate in the administration of the CAST. Students assigned to take an alternate assessment should take the California Alternate Assessment for Science.

Science Reference Tools:

The CAST assessments for grade eight and high school include a periodic table and a reference list of formulas that
students may access during online testing as universal tools. The reference list provides all formulas that a student
may need to use in responding to a test item; however, this does not imply that the student will receive a specific item
type. The purposes of these reference tools are to signal that students do not need to memorize formula sheets and to ensure
that students have equal access to the tools during testing. These reference tools are not meant to guide instruction.

An updated and accessible periodic table is now available for all students on the practice and training tests
and will be available on the 2018–19 CAST. This periodic table can be resized and moved within the item and is
accessible for students using Job Access with Speech (JAWS).

A printable CAST periodic table has been provided as a resource intended for classroom use.
This printable version closely resembles the online periodic table available in the CAST and
can be downloaded and printed to give students practice using the periodic table in a format
similar to the online version. This PDF version of periodic table is not fully accessible as an
electronic document because it is meant for printing only; however, students can use the accessible,
online version of the periodic table in the CAST training and practice tests. We encourage students to
practice using both types of periodic table resources throughout the year.

Files that contain a periodic table of elements and reference list of formulas
that can be embossed in braille are forthcoming.